It only takes one bad guy in the wrong place at the wrong time to ruin your day.

However, were it legal for law abiding citizens in my state to carry a firearm for self protection, I would be inclined to carry something more substantial than a 32. But I agree with the general idea. A firearm, a light, and a knife.

I look at pistols the way I look at the trauma kit I carry on the range. If something happens and I don't have my trauma kit on me, especially when I'm teaching or I'm an RSO, I would never forgive myself for not having the tools to help someone. If something threatens my family or myself, I'd like to have the right tools at hand.

It's a big decision and a serious ongoing responsibility. Without a doubt it's not for everyone.

after a year or so on this forum, my EDC has drastically changed...from minimum, to maximum, and finally a compromise based on perception of need...

most likely threat at my age...heart attack, so my first prep was addition of a pill fob to the key ring for a couple of aspirin, followed by some immodium and later antivert

I'm an old fart, so physical attack looms its ugly head...pocket carry is a Ruger LCP in a Sam Andrews pocket holster... my vehicle carry bag is a Glock 9mm, SureFire 6P with Malkoff upgrade, ASP, OC spray, and a compression bandage, SF tourniquet, and QuickClot pack with some nitrile gloves in a pocket

in the "help I've fallen and can't get up"...brass whistle on key ring, along with Fenix E01 and P38.. key ring is on a belt clip

practical daily use...Benchmade Aries axis lock and Victorinox Executive, Motorola Razr phone in Maxpedition holster, bandana

a couple medical items are in my wallet...4 Katadyn tabs, 2x2 hemostatic gauze, 2x2 pad, 2 cloth finger bandaids, dental floss, 1' duct tape on card

and finally the "tools I might someday need"..in a generic large multitool pouch... Leatherman Squirt S2, Streamlight TacPro 1L 110 lumen light, petroleum cotton ball in straw, short section of hacksaw blade, with large needle and firesteel...key ring, phone and multi tool on my belt..


this setup works for me, but have to be sure to pull my belt tight so the pants don't fall off

That's a great place to live, although I personally doubt such a place really exists. But if you think your location qualifies, that's all that need matter to you. Just be mentally prepared to handle being disillusioned if the "It can't happen to me" mentality gets slam dunked by the "I was a victim" reality. Hopefully this will never happen to you. Especially since you appear willing to walk right into it unprepared.

Carrying a firearm is certainly not for everybody. I would not recommend it for you. But it would be nice if you tried not to make snide comments to those of us who have chosen to carry one.

People intent on evil can be found anywhere, including where you would least expect it.

In the field I use the mnemonic "Left for life, right for fight" to organize my stuff. What this means to me is, I carry my survival equipment on my left side pockets and the stuff I will be using on a regular basis on my right side...

So, for example for SAR & wildland firefighting in my left pockets I carry:

• PSK
• PLB
• Flashlight
• Lighter
• Wallet

And in my right pockets I carry:

• Knife
• Notebook and reference cards
• Incident response pocket guide
• Weather meter
• Map

Typically around town I carry:

• Glock 19 (right side)
• Spare magazine (left sdie)
• Ritter RSK Mk1 (right ft pocket)
• Lighter (right ft pocket)
• Surefire E1B (left ft pocket)
• Phone (left ft pocket)
• Notepad/pen (left back pocket)
• Wallet (right pack pocket)

I didn't see anything 'snide' about Canoedogs comment. He was complimentary about the gear and photography, and did not challenge anyones decision to carry a firearm. He simply stated he didn't feel a personal need to carry a firearm.

This would be a dull forum if everyone just '+1' on every OP's comment.

Seeing an interesting discussion turn into a gun - no gun debate and walking away from it.


Other than knife on the right because that's my dominant hand, I don't necessarily do left and right. Everything does have a place though. I'm a creature of habit and knowing reliably where everything makes things smoother during times of stress.

absolutely.

in fact, the 32 Seecamp is just one of my "kits" and the least powerful. the only reason i posted it was that i happen to have some nice photos of it to share.

and the only reason to carry such a small caliber is when nothing larger can be concealed, yet when still able to easily access much more potent options.

yesterday, like most days in town, i pocket-carried a tiny 13 ounce 9mm Rohrbaugh (black Stealth model with VZ grips) loaded with 115gr Gold Dots, plus a William Henry B15FT folder and a Tank TK-703 'light.

I too appreciate pocket pistols. When everybody else has major issues with concealing and carrying in general, the pocket pistol comes through like an imperfect, but always loyal, friend. My smallest gun is a Glock 27, and that's too big actually. I'm looking to downsize.

Speaking of pocket guns, SIG has a new little 9mm coming out called the P938. It's only supposed to be slightly bigger than the P238/Colt Mustang .380. If it's any good I'd love to get my hands on one. It would be a nice companion to my full size 1911, especially since 9mm is a lot cheaper to shoot than .45 acp.



As far as left/right pocket goes, I try to keep it always the same (wallet/knife front right; keys/light front left), but it doesn't always work out that way. The only thing that ends up being a definite is that I hate carrying anything heavier or thicker than a bandana in my back pocket. Don't know why, but having stuff in my back pocket always annoyed me.